*sigh*

[CathyBogart]

Re-read my posts...I just did, and I think I was rather polite about the whole thing. I NEVER SAID THAT I HATE KIDS, so please stop reading that into my posts. Dislike, yes. A lot of people dislike snakes, but I take no offense to that.

The "what if everyone thought that way" argument is old and tired and needs to be thrown out. It really doesn't apply...because it will never happen! I just think that the world would be a better place if more people DID think this way.

PCB, if you do a little research you will find that we have used up the entirety of the world's fresh water supply. Seriously. If it weren't for water processing, most of us would have died of dehydration by now. The fact is that we are stretching resources to the max, and soon there won't be enough for everyone, equally distributed or not.

You may find me overrreacting to this for the same reason I overreact to religious topics...I am told almost every day by family, neighbors, even people I considered friends that I am wrong or 'selfish' because I choose not to add to what (I feel is) the world's biggest health issue. I've got more to say, but I've got to get a ride somewhere...

[Cataholic]

WC, it isn't that you don't want to have children. There are many people that don't want to have children. It is the venom with which you speak (no pun intended). You may never change your mind. And, that is wonderful to know you are so strong in your beliefs. You will go far with such confidence.

Do you really think disliking snakes is the same thing as disliking children? I am one of the first to admit I am over the top with my love for cats. I **could** talk cats all day long, if I found someone to listen to me But, I do recognize a difference between children and cats. To say, "I dislike cats" is really not on the level with "I dislike children". Is it just a different value system? I don't know. But, without my armchair psychology book here at work, I imagine there is more to your dislike of children then the status of the world's population.

You are right, I don't think we have to fear that one day the whole world will wake up with a "dislike of children" theory, and the whole world will cease in 100 years. But, I don't know that that invalidates the argument. Isn't that like saying a total non-ban on guns is okay, since not everyone would take up arms anyhow?

[Cincy'sMom]

Aly, and Johanna, you have both put my thoughts into words.

I esp. agree with Johanna about the venom with which you both speak. And I am sorry, but I can not agree with all your natural resources agruments. Don't most of us feed our animals the best food we possibly can, sometimes even (gasp) human grade food. So if we are so concerned about the human race and how it is going to kill itself off, shouldn't we just let the animals fend for themselves?

And WolfChan...I believe in another thread you stated that you wanted a Bedlington Terrier and would go through a breeder to get one since they are not avaible in shelters. I have not problem with that at all. Nut then in this thread you agrue people should adopt if they want children. I guess maybe you could say, the breed these people want isn't available in "shelters", one from their own lines!

[popcornbird]

Originally posted by Cataholic


Do you really think disliking snakes is the same thing as disliking children? I am one of the first to admit I am over the top with my love for cats. I **could** talk cats all day long, if I found someone to listen to me But, I do recognize a difference between children and cats. To say, "I dislike cats" is really not on the level with "I dislike children". Is it just a different value system? I don't know. But, without my armchair psychology book here at work, I imagine there is more to your dislike of children then the status of the world's population.

I totally agree with that. I too, know that I go overboard with my love for birds.......even cats. I talk about them all the time. I know some of my friends share my love for animals and enjoy my stories about them, but I also have friends who don't share my love for animals. I may not talk to them *as much* about my birds, but I *still* do, and they appreciate it, and say nice things, even though they don't feel the same about animals as I do.

I have a friend who has a 2 year old brother that she just ADORES. She talks about him ALL the time, and there are times when I wish she would stop, but I still respond respectfully, and say nice things about her brother. That is just how I feel friends should be. I could never imagine having a friend who would break up with me whenever I get children, because she didn't want my children to have a part in the friendship. I would hate to have a friend that would eventually break the friendship by letting me know my kids weren't welcome around them, whenever I have kids. That is just so harsh and mean in my opinion.

Not everyone likes the same things. Still, like Johanna, I don't believe you can compare dislike for an animal to disliking kids. Disliking an animal is something everyone does. Most people have animals they truely, do not like. Disliking children, however, can equate to disliking yourself. You were a child once.........and Wolfchan, you, were VERY recently, a child. Do you dislike your entire life now because you were a child during most of it? Again, I can understand not loving kids, but really disliking them, or having a grudge against them just for the fact that they are young humans is sad.

[CathyBogart]

Due to some interesting life circumstances, I was forced to grow up very early. Yes, I was a kid once upon a time. However, I had very little opportunity to enjoy it.

I truly see no difference between disliking an animal and disliking kids. In fact, humans are just another primate, an anthropoid. So it is just dislike for an animal. As a matter of fact, working in a pet store has stirred a dislike for many adults as well.

Im sitting here at Alikkons house thinking that his niece is in fact adorable. Its a shame that her parents dont know how to tell her no...she will probably be as obnoxious as her brother in a few years.

[popcornbird]

Originally posted by WolfChan

Im sitting here at Alikkons house thinking that his niece is in fact adorable. Its a shame that her parents dont know how to tell her no...she will probably be as obnoxious as her brother in a few years.

Ah, you see......it is the parents to blame. Not the children. Children are not bad. Its the parents who don't know how to raise them that make them bad. Saying kids are bad equates to saying all pitbulls are bad. No difference. Its the ones that raise them who are to blame.......not the children. Children need love, they need guidance, and if they don't get proper parenting, they will end up growing like weeds, but still, they are not to blame. Its their parents.

[Cataholic]

Originally posted by WolfChan
Im sitting here at Alikkons house thinking that his niece is in fact adorable. Its a shame that her parents dont know how to tell her no...she will probably be as obnoxious as her brother in a few years.

Maybe you can have some influence in her life....parenting by proxy? Not EVERYONE has to have a child to be influential in a child's life. Just like not everyone that has a child IS a parent....

As to your childhood, I am sorry that what you went through in your youth was so traumatic that it influenced you so today. I can't imagine what it was, and am not asking you to tell us. But, there can still be kindness in the world, even if it wasn't maybe there at your doorstep.

[CathyBogart]

I honestly think I would have made the same decision even if I had been allowed a normal childhood. It is just a part of me, as is my love for the type of animals most people abhor. I would not condemn someone for having kids, but I also will not pretend to be joyful or even interested.

I think forums are a great place to talk about whatever our obsessions are, its easy for people who dont care to just skip that thread. Maybe thats why I am such a forum junkie.

Cataholic, I will think about that. She might be a cute one, but babies and toddlers still make me immensely uncomfortable.

Edit: I JUST read a chapter in "I'm Okay, You're a Brat!" that offered me some helpful insight and changed my thoughts a little bit. Maybe Alikkon's nephew is just obnoxious by nature, and his niece will remain cute. When it comes down to it, there are many many more influences in a child's life than jus tthe parents, and all of those influence how they turn out. Their grandparents, friends, birth order, genetics, what part of the world they live in....they all play a role, so it's not fair to blame the parents.

Some kids are going to be "bad" no matter how wonderful the parents are...and just looking back to the people in my life over the last few years I can think of wonderful people from horrid families, and horrible people from loving families. What an eye-opener...

Does this mean I have to be nice to Alikkon's SIL now? (We've never gotten along, mainly because her son grates my last nerve!) *Chuckles*

[amoore]

Ok .... I am surprised at all this coming from such sweet people! I love you anyway.

How about starting a forum at Pet Talk about skin kids? Then anyone that doesn't like skin kids doesn't have to read it. I would be there reading it because I love skin kids!


I love hearing about your children! Please!

[dukedogsmom]

I feel your pain. Don't know what to tell you. I would have a hard time holding in my frustration. Most of the time, I speak my mind and it gets me in trouble.

[ILoveReptiles]

Ok I'm going to admit this - I'm very much down on humanity today, and I apologize to anyone that I offended if I came off too harsh. The fact remains that I don't care for children, and I won't apologize for that, but I never claimed that I hate them.

However, my bad attitude today could be attributed to the fact that my older sister, whom is the world's biggest alcoholic bum, has gotten hammered and lost her job yet again (for the fourth time in a year now), and is being very nasty as well as lying to everyone about it, claiming she "quit", and that she wasn't actually fired. She came clean later on and admitted she was fired, but it's too late if you ask me.

It's just got me extremely irate and nastier than usual, so please accept my apology for being overly harsh. Thank you...

I'll get back to being my sweet old self some day.

[trayi52]

That does sound like a really good reason! I fully accept your apology. I have to say I came down on you pretty hard, and well I know what its like to have a bad day. For real!!

Willie

[ILoveReptiles]

Thank you Trayi52... *hug* ..

I'm going to go eat sushi now - my comfort food.

[trayi52]

Please tell me what sushi tastes like. I have never eat sushi, chocolate is usually my comfort food! LOL

Willie

[ILoveReptiles]

Well it depends on what you order...I have many favorites. Magura (raw tuna), Unagi (Freshwater Eel)...

They all taste different, the Eel is very sweet. Tuna has a clean taste (if it's fresh that is) and is absolutely to die for.

If you feel adventurous and you're used to sushi, you could try Uni (sea urchin)... It's an acquired taste though - it's sweet but it has the consistency of snot. Not very appealing I know - but that's what I thought of it.

Squid is just downright disgusting... Slimy and rubbery. Ew.

Raw salmon is very tender and delicious though.

Now my mouth is watering... waiting for the sushi to arrive.